MUSIC MONDAYS | TRACKADEMICKS

This past week I got the opportunity to enjoy the sun and link up with Bay Area creator Trackademicks. He is a legend in the Bay Area music scene, and has produced a lot of amazing work. Check out our interview, where we discuss his influences, sound, and why the Bay Area has his heart.

What is your name and where are you from?

My name is Jason, born and raised in Alameda.

How was it growing up there?

I’m an introvert so it was pretty conducive to my lifestyle. Super chill, rode my bike around, played by the Bay, which is why I love the water.

Ever leaving the Bay? If not whats keeping you?

I’ll probably leave for a short moment but I love the Bay. It’s home, I love the nature aspect – from the climate to the trees. I love the culture. We are ahead of the curve out here. A lot of people here are open.

Common Bay Area misconception?

That everyone is either a hippie or everyone is hyphy. When people get here they realize that we’re actually all these things and more.

Where did you get your stage name from?

I came up with that name in college. I’ve been rapping withy crew for a long time but we didn’t have a name yet. I was in my operations management class – I was a business major – I was dozing off and he said something about academia and I was like wow, Iike that word, I like that word a lot. I was like Trackademia, Trackademics and thats how I got it.

Biography in 30 seconds:

I am a bridge. My dad is philipino from Oakland, my mom is black from Richmond, VA, they made me. I feel like that’s what I like to do with music and culture, bridge differences. Found out at a young age that music is what I love, petty cords in particular, and thats what I do.

I would consider you a creator, but what do you consider yourself? What do you do?

Creator is definitely it. Producer and artist. But also if being a chiller was actually something, someone who likes to chill, I try to do things conducive to that. Even though I’m a work-a-holic I’m very laid back.

How long have you been doing it?

I’ve been playing the saxophone since I was 8 all throughout high school. & started producing during college.

What made you fall in love with music?

My mom, definitely. She passed down her taste to me. Her and also movies, soundtracks like StarWars. Very orchestra based.

What is her taste in music?

She liked a lot of Sade, and a lot of 70’s jazz and 80’s pop rock. Thats a lot of my favorite sounds. Also British sophistapop. Groups like simply red and tears for fears. That kind of stuff I love.

If you weren’t doing music, what would you probably be doing right now?

That is a hard question, I have no idea. Probably be married, with kids, working. Working in finance or in real-estate. Or I’d be like a park ranger, somewhere outdoors.

Dream collab?

It probably consists of people that aren’t here anymore. What I’m on right now, Pharell is involved, Sade, Andre 3000, Tears for Fears. When it comes to how I produce, I like to work with people who I am inspired by. I have to like their music, I’m not just hitting everyone up like lets collab, lets work.

Stranded on an island, can only listen to 3 albums, what would they be?

In Search Of – N.E.R.D

Best of Sade – Sade

Outkast – Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik

Top 3 r&b classics?

Make It Last Forever – Keith Sweat

Loose End – Hanging On A String

My Heart Belongs To You – Jodeci

Who do you do this for?

I do this for people like me. People with high music sensibility. Smart music, but not protentious. I like to make music for those who will truly enjoy my talent and my work.

Two Player Co-Op, which is 1-O.A.K, has a project coming out soon, great beats, a lot of remakes and that’s going to be great. Also, this week we’re wropping an EP with Fools Gold Record with L-Deez who is a rapper from Oakland. I produced the whole thing, so look out for that. And of course I’m working on my project as well so thats pretty exciting.

Make sure to keep up to date with all of his upcoming work and events by checking him out on soundcloud, and following him on twitter and instagram.

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Published by Mamou Kilambi

Co-founder and the Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Mamou is a recent college graduate from the University of California, Riverside. Being raised in Oakland, and spending 4 years in Southern California, Mamou heard the constant negative views that people had on the Bay Area. She vowed to help change those views, and Nook and Kranny is her first step in doing so.
View all posts by Mamou Kilambi